A Long Branch man is charged in connection with an April 16th attempted murder and robbery in Long Branch, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
According to authorities, Azeem Jackson, 18, of Long Branch, was charged on Aug. 7th with first degree Attempted Murder, first-degree Robbery, second-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose and second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon.
A joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Long Branch Police Department began after officers were dispatched to the scene of a report of a gunshot victim, located at the corner of Matilda and Second streets.
Officials say the victim was taken to Jersey Shore Medical University Hospital and treated for a gunshot wound to the chest.
Officials say based upon their investigation, detectives were able to identify Azeem Jackson as the individual who shot the victim during the robbery attempt.
If convicted of Attempted Murder, Jackson faces 20 years in a New Jersey state prison without parole, subject to the provisions of the “No Early Release Act” (NERA) requiring him to serve 85 percent of the sentence imposed before becoming eligible for release on parole. He would also be under parole supervision for five years following his release from state prison.
If convicted of Robbery, Jackson faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, which is also subject to NERA.
If convicted of the second degree weapons offenses, Jackson faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in a New Jersey state prison on each count, subject to the provisions of the Graves Act, which carries a mandatory period of parole ineligibility of one half of the custodial sentence imposed, or 42 months, whichever is greater.
According to authorities, Jackson has been lodged in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution on separate charges not pertaining to this incident. He is scheduled for a detention hearing at 9 a.m. on August 13, 2018, in front of Monmouth County Superior Court Judge James J. McGann.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.